EP 1873758 A2 20080102 - Magnetoresistive sensor having a structure for activating and deactivating electrostatic discharge prevention circuitry
Title (en)
Magnetoresistive sensor having a structure for activating and deactivating electrostatic discharge prevention circuitry
Title (de)
Magnetoresistiver Sensor mit Struktur zur Aktivierung und Deaktivierung einer Schaltung zur Vermeidung elektrostatischer Entladung
Title (fr)
Capteur magnéto-résistif ayant une structure pour activer et désactiver le circuit de prévention des décharges
Publication
Application
Priority
US 42690806 A 20060627
Abstract (en)
A structure for preventing Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) damage to a magnetoresistive sensor during manufacture. The structure includes a switching element that can be switched off during testing of the sensor and then switched back on to provide ESD shunting to the sensor. The switch can be a thermally activated mechanical relay built onto the slider. The switch could also be a programmable resistor that includes a solid electrolyte sandwiched between first and second electrodes. One of the electrodes functions as an anode. When voltage is applied in a first direction an ion bridge forms across through the electrolyte across electrodes making the resistor conductive. When a voltage is applied in a second direction, the ion bridge recedes and the programmable resistor becomes essentially non-conductive. Another possible programmable resistor uses a phase change material that can change between an amorphous high resistance state and a crystalline low resistance state upon the application of a certain heat treatments.
IPC 8 full level
G11B 5/40 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP US)
G11B 5/40 (2013.01 - EP US)
Designated contracting state (EPC)
DE FR GB
Designated extension state (EPC)
AL BA HR MK YU
DOCDB simple family (publication)
EP 1873758 A2 20080102; EP 1873758 A3 20090610; CN 101097720 A 20080102; JP 2008010138 A 20080117; US 2008037182 A1 20080214; US 2012243125 A1 20120927; US 8169751 B2 20120501; US 8634168 B2 20140121
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 07250687 A 20070220; CN 200710109555 A 20070625; JP 2007140139 A 20070528; US 201213433192 A 20120328; US 42690806 A 20060627